Disclaimer: I do NOT own Warriors. It belongs to Erin Hunter.
'Thoughts' Dreams Memories
As the pair ran through the darkened forest, they ran into Tigerclaw. The tabby male turned from sniffing at a spruce to give them his attention. He can tell from the scowls on their faces that whatever happened was not good. He went to gently headbutt them both, his gaze sympathy but also serious. They then started to walk together, their fur brushing together in familial affection.
"I'm guessing Bluestar nearly clawed your ears off," he growled softly, digging his claws into the dirt. "Even after all you've done, she doesn't trust you! We should ban together, drive them out! There's just enough of us send them all running! Or were you thinking of using them for prey? We could live a bit easier during leaf-bare if we did."
Spottedleaf hissed at her nephew, baring her fangs. She was starting to come away from the hunger and thirst for blood. She gave Tigerclaw a stern look, moving in front of him to block his path. "No!" she growled firmly before softening her voice slightly to the younger demon's somewhat hurt expression. "No, Tigerclaw. To do that would only make them fear demons more. The Clan cats outnumber us, while we could fight, even we would be outmatched. Remember, you said it yourself, we are weakened, it wouldn't take much to kill us."
Tigerclaw scowled at that, turning his head away. "Anything would be better than hiding like mice! We could change things! We can become strong, then none of us would have to fear the Clans knowing of us!"
"You're thinking too recklessly!" Redtail snarled, harsher than he intended, making Tigerclaw flinch back. The deputy wanted to take it back, comfort him but he then realized being forceful was the only way to make his nephew understand. "What you're saying is traitorous to the Clan! If you keep going on like this, I'll have to tell Bluestar!"
Tigerclaw stopped walking, glaring lightly at his uncle but flattened his ears in a show of remorse. "So, it's looks like you've chosen where you stand." he then turned around, heading back to the camp. Spottedleaf tried to follow him but Redtail held her back, shaking his head.
"Leave him for now. I know how he feels, he's only thinking of giving us a better life in the Clan. He will understand in time."
Spottedleaf gave her brother a certain look before turning to where Tigerclaw vanished. "Are you sure? I understand too but I can also see this turning into something very bad."
Redtail pressed his nose against his sister's in an effort to calm her. "Don't worry, nothing will happen. I will look after him."
XxXx
Tigerclaw slipped back into ThunderClan camp and headed for the warriors' den, he poked his head inside and looked around, searching for a few certain warriors. He then saw Willowpelt sleeping next to her brother, Patchpelt and shook them both awake. He did the same to Lionheart and Goldenpelt. Once done with that, he went to the apprentice's den and roughly shook his apprentice, Ravenpaw, awake and looked to stare at Sandpaw before deciding against waking her. A pang of concern went through him, she was his cousin, but she didn't know anything.
When word got out, would she hate Redtail for not telling her the truth? His uncle was a noble one, and Tigerclaw knew the bond they shared was deep and loving. No, he didn't want to break that. He would say quiet, for now. He would be there to help his cousin later.
His gaze then shifted to the molly apprentice sleeping next to her and he stiffened, that orange fur, it looked just like-. No! Tigerclaw shook his head, it couldn't be. There was more than one flame colored cat in the forest. She couldn't be related to him...Could she?
Snorting softly, he retreated and looked at the tiny mass of cats. He had debated on going to the elder's den but thought against it. It wasn't that he didn't think they could fight, even in old age, half demons kept their strength for far longer, it had more to do with letting them rest. They fought their battles, it was time to give them peace.
With a flick of his tail he gathered the warriors and the apprentice to a shaded spot in the camp and bent his head close to them, whispering just loud enough for them to hear.
"Listen to me, Redtail and Spottedleaf were reprimanded by Bluestar for killing and eating RiverClan cats! Those two have been loyal members of this Clan for many moons, Bluestar had not right to get mad at them. Doing what they did makes them stronger, if we follow them, we could be stronger! Aren't you tired of living in fear of what these cats could do to us? We train and fight with them, but they still scorn demons and think of all of us like monsters! What do you think will happen if they find out who we are? We must be prepared! I know a place swarming with cats, enough to feed you all! We will be able to defend ourselves, if the needs arises."
After he was done speaking, Lionheart stepped forward, in the bottom his left green eye was a blaze of blue. He was a full demon, as such he was truly massive, even bigger than Tigerclaw. But like the rest of the demons in the Clan, his enforced diet left him slightly small and Tigerclaw thought that he could have grown to be even bigger if given the chance.
He looked at Tigerclaw with understand in his eyes but at the same time, they were dark with concern. "I understand you, Tigerclaw. I understand that you want to lead us to a be a Clan that is strong and powerful, one that can be safe from threats outside but more importantly inside. But if Redtail is any indication, then I think you are wrong. If there was no trust, then why would Bluestar pick him as deputy?"
Tigerclaw lashed his tail and rose to his full height, though he was still somewhat smaller than Lionheart. "You're deluding yourself into thinking the whole Clan trusts us! Bluestar, Sunstar! You can't put your trust and lives in just two, now one cat's paws! You'll be dead in no time!"
The tabby half demon then marched forward a couple of steps and jerked his head to the dens, narrowing his eyes to the group. "If you, any of you think that, why not go to your Clanmates and announce your demons to them? Well, go on. Prove it to me."
No one moved. Even Lionheart took a step back. Tigerclaw bared his fangs and nodded to this, going to join them again. "You can either hide like mice or fight with me like the warriors you say you are. It's your choice."
The assembled demons and half demons all looked at each other, mumbling but before they could make a decision, Redtail and Spottedleaf came dashing through the camp, battered and bloody.
"RiverClan warriors! Loads of them! Taking our prey and invading our territory!"
A/N: Now it starts, Into the Wild proper. It only 11 chapters but I thank you all for your patience and I hope that I could entertain you all going forward.
